Janessa Goldbeck, a former US Marine Corps captain and chief executive of the Vet Voice Foundation, a non-profit advocacy group, said the order represented “an attempt by the president to normalize a national, militarized police force”.

She predicted that force would be used to send troops to states led by Democratic governors without their permission and could be used to suppress turnout and disrupt the fair operation of elections.

In a worst-case scenario, she said, “the president could declare a state of emergency and say that elections are rigged and use allegations of voter fraud to seize the ballots of secure voting centers”.

The Pentagon did not respond to repeated requests for comment. A spokesperson for the national guard bureau declined to comment on concerns that Trump is seeking to normalize a national militarized police force or could potentially use the force to seize ballot boxes.

Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, said: “The president has lawfully deployed the national guard to several cities either in response to violent riots that local leaders have refused to quell, or by invitation to assist local law enforcement as appropriate. President Trump and the entire administration is working to make America safe again.”

She added: “The tremendous results from cities like Memphis and DC, where crime has significantly dropped following national guard deployments, debunk all of the fearmongering and lies from the Guardian.”

The 8 October memo says the Pentagon will deploy military trainers to every state and US territories as far away as Guam with the goal of making the quick reaction forces “operational” by 1 January 2026. Each state will also be provided “100 sets of crowd control equipment to be used to support this requirement”

Among other things, the troops are to be trained how to “form Squad-sized Riot Control Formation”, how to “employ a Riot Baton as a Member of a Riot Control Formation”, and how to “Supervise a Riot/Crowd Control Operation”. National guard members are also to be trained in de-escalation of force techniques.

Each state is to report monthly on its progress.

Another Pentagon document reviewed by the Guardian, dated 24 September, mandates the creation of a “specialized military police battalion within the District of Columbia National Guard” that is “dedicated to ensuring safety and public order in the Nation’s capital as the circumstances may necessitate”.

The order requires that a 50-person “full-time element of this unit” be trained and ready for utilization within 90 days and reach full strength by 2027.

While creation of national quick reaction forces was not unprecedented, they typically occurred after a serious emergency, according to Christopher Purdy, a national guard veteran of the war in Iraq.

In 2005, Purdy noted, more than 50,000 national guard troops were deployed after Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of New Orleans. Purdy is chief executive of the Chamberlain Network, which this week filed an amicus brief at the supreme court opposing Trump’s deployment of national guard troops to Illinois.

Military experts said the Trump administration’s moves hearken back to an earlier era when national guard troops were frequently deployed to quell protests and disturbances, such as the 1970 Kent State shooting in which four unarmed college students were killed by the Ohio national guard.

All of this time effort, and taxpayer money spent by the Trump admin sending in the National Guard cities, and yet when they get there they do nothing but pick up trash and mow lawns.

>>1453727
>available for rapid nationwide deployment” in “quelling civil disturbances”.
*available for rapid nationwide deployment” in “causing civil disturbances”

>>1453740
The US government is going to save so much money when all this militarization of US cities shit is finally disbanded when dems get back in power.

>>1453761
We also need to tar & feather Trump, too…

>>1453763
He probably won't survive this term at the rate he's going.
https://www.irishstar.com/news/us-news/trump-health-issues-full-list-36151701

>>1453764
Wishful thinking. He’ll be given the best medical care money can buy.

>>1453769
actually he's required to use government doctors on military bases

>>1453749
Yep and in 2028 they will be ordered to check every voter's legal status at polling places before being allowed to vote.

>>1453761
>when
>not if
Oh child, its going to be a looooooong rest of your life for you.

>>1453969
I love it when chuds (you) can't sense their own failings.

Couldn't this be considered premeditated action for the next step he is taking? I'll be happy when he swings by the neck until dead. Saddam went out with more dignity and he mocked the trial. I can't wait until Trump shits his pants for the last time.

>>1454073
It's not like he's the one thinking of these things. One of his minions told him he needs to do this or that, and he signs off on it. I doubt it was Hegseth. This is too complex of a plan for his pea brain. It was probably either Stephen Miller or that Project2025 guy.

>>1454154
Culpability is not capability when you're just a lackey. Following one little order taints, cumulative with successive actions. I agree, a puppet, but a good start for the burning of man.

It's almost time for the Mark of the Beast microchips compliments a la Trump and taxpayer dollars.

It's going to be hilarious when every last democrat gets their head forcibly removed from their asses by a rope.

Dipshits like >>1453970 overdosed on copium failing to realize when they say shit like >>1454073 they're just making normal people disgusted enough to throw up their hands and say "Fine. We'll play by YOUR way."

>>1454073
Was Saddam the bad guy though?

>>1454191
You have no idea what 'normal people' think. They aren't far right reactionaries like you are.

>>1454243
Keep telling yourself that you sick fuck. Your lies egged on Charlie Kirk's murderer. And you danced. You FUCKING DANCED. You will receive your reward.